Gerard Butler to star in football film about World War II ‘Death Match’

It'll tell the true story of a 1942 football match between the Ukrainians and the Nazis

PA

Gerard Butler is to star in a new football film called Dynamo, which centres on “The Death Match” of World War II.

The film will be based on Andy Dougan‘s book Dynamo: Defending The Honour Of Kiev, which tells the true story of a legendary 1942 football match between a team of occupied Ukrainians and their Nazi oppressors.

The Nazis set up the match to be a one-sided contest, but the Ukrainians pulled off an unlikely 5-3 victory at Kiev’s Zenit Stadium, boosting morale across the entire city. Butler will star as Nikolai Trusevich, the winning team’s leader and goalkeeper.

Dougan’s book has been adapted for the screen by Eli Richbourg, a writer-producer best known for his work with director Joel Schumacher. According to Deadline, Dynamo‘s producers are now in talks with potential directors, with filming set to take place in Europe next year.

Meanwhile, Butler’s latest film is a biographical drama called Chasing Mavericks, based on the friendship between legendary surfer Jay Moriarty and the grizzled veteran who trained him. It opens in UK cinemas this Friday (November 2) and you can watch the trailer below.

This Week's Magazine

Connect With Us

NME Newsletter

Your email address:

By submitting your details, you will also receive emails from Time Inc. UK, publisher of NME and other iconic brands about its goods and services, and those of its carefully selected third parties. Please tick here if you’d prefer not to hear about:

Time Inc.'s goods & services, including all the latest news, great deals and offers